8 ms·
iOS App Store - Fake Microsoft Word 2012 Approved
- tiernano 14y agounless they changed it before now, the text specifically reads that its a tutorial app, and has tips, not pretending to be a full Word client... mind you, how many people bought it not reading the text fully? how many dident look at the screen shot? And if that was a lot of people, i am releasing a Microsoft Excel and Outlook app for the iPhone/iPad later on... free money from what i can only imagine are people with too much feeking money...
- Groxx 14y agoI'm willing to bet a fair number didn't read it. Given one of the reviews: >Very Stupid App!!!! This is just a waste of money. Don't buy this app because you cannot even write a document!!!!!! But that's about par for the course. The dissatisfied ones are always the loudest. I do highly doubt they had permission to use the Microsoft trademark in that way though.
- ceejayoz 14y ago> I'm willing to bet a fair number didn't read it. Why would I? I'd personally have assumed that no Apple reviewer would ever permit a developer named "Super Racing Real Games" to use the Microsoft Word logo and name for an app. They're supposed to be there to protect against this sort of stuff, so I can't blame folks for not reading too closely.
- villancikos 14y agoTotally... that developer sounds like a kids name. Also the logo looks a little bit crappy. Even for a noob.
- illumin8 14y agoAre developers able to change the name of their app after it is approved and published in the app store? Because, if so, there might be a reasonable explanation for this mistake: 1. Developer submits app named "Tips for Microsoft Word". 2. App is approved. 3. Developer changes app name to "Microsoft Word 2012". 4. Profit?
- akmiller 14y agoNo, you cannot change the App name once the application is in the app store. On top of that, all app names must be unique.
- pooriaazimi 14y agoYes you can. Just a few days ago, 'The EagleBook' changed its name to 'The CIA World Factbook', for example: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eaglebook-cia-world-factbook/id412637620?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/eaglebook-cia-world-factbook/...
- ceejayoz 14y agoI'd imagine Apple has to review and approve the change, though.
- ben1040 14y agoYou can change the name, but to do so requires you to change the app metadata in XCode, rebuild a new binary, and upload it back to iTunes Connect like you would any other update. That would trigger another round of reviewing, so in theory you shouldn't be able to "sneak" a name change past Apple.
- akmiller 14y agoExactly, not sure why I got the down-vote above. You can't simply edit the app name and change it after the app has passed review.
- tiernano 14y ago> They're supposed to be there to protect against this sort of stuff no... They are here to protect their bottom line, their business, their interests, then, maybe, their customers... Its a business, not a charity. App seems to be missing now, so cant confirm its the Word Logo, but i dont think it was the actual Word Logo... and if you are blindly buying apps based on their name, well, I will sell you the Golden Gate Bride* * Bridge may not actually be included...
- mikeash 14y agoYes, I'm sure Microsoft won't sue you for trademark violation at all.
- wattjustin 14y agoOut of all of the reasons why this is crazy including a misleading title and screenshots, I just can't believe the app size is 121MB.
- iamandrus 14y agoThe price is pretty ridiculous too. I would have bought it simply for the novelty if it wasn't $10.
- vibrunazo 14y agoI believe that's part of their magic trick. I don't think as many people would rush to think it's the official MS Word if it cost only $1. The price, app size, screenshots. Everything is misleading, except the one thing most people don't even look at, which is the text description.
- freehunter 14y agoI only have very specific first-hand knowledge, but Android's OneNote application is free, released by Microsoft. If you think about it you'll likely come to the conclusion that Word wouldn't be free, but at first blush I'd believe it.
- TazeTSchnitzel 14y agoYeah, they deliberately made the in-app interface look like a mobile word processor. Which is really, really deceitful.
- StavrosK 14y agoLooks like it contains videos too.
- huxley 14y agoI thought it was interesting that the seller's last name was Potemkin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potemkin_village
- pkulak 14y agoAren't we handing over all the flexibility of open app development so that Apple can protect us from crapware? What the hell are they doing with my $100 a year?
- franzus 14y agoI don't know what they're doing. But I think it must be something really complex as my last application needed 13 days to get "in review" status and then 18 days more to get approved. Feels good paying those $100 every year ...
- briandear 14y agoYou could just stop developing for Apple. I hear Android is an "open" platform.
- franzus 14y agoYeah, but Java no thanks :)
- jarito 14y agoC#? (http://xamarin.com/monotouch http://xamarin.com/monotouch)
- padraigm 14y agoYou're probably joking, but in case you're not aware, it's possible to develop Android apps in many languages other than Java. Other JVM languages like Scala [1,2] are perhaps the easiest. C and C++ (and feasibly other languages that can call C libraries) are supported through the NDK [3]; there's even a project to use Objective-C on Android using the NDK [4]. It's also possible to use scripting languages such as Python or Lua using the Scripting Layer for Android [5]. Some of these methods will require you to write a very minimal Java wrapper to properly package your app, but realistically Android is no more tied to Java than iOS is to Objective-C. [1] - https://code.google.com/p/scalaforandroid/ https://code.google.com/p/scalaforandroid/ [2] - http://robots.thoughtbot.com/post/5836463058/scala-a-better-java-for-android http://robots.thoughtbot.com/post/5836463058/scala-a-better-... [3] - https://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/index.html https://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/index.html [4] - https://code.google.com/p/android-gcc-objc2-0/ https://code.google.com/p/android-gcc-objc2-0/ [5] - https://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/ https://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/
- grecy 14y agoSo when Microsoft wants to submit the "real" 'Microsoft Word 2012' to the app store, how does Apple handle the name conflict? Can I go and submit an app under the name of every existing company name I can think of, just like domain parking?
- eigenvector 14y agoConsidering that Microsoft Word is a registered trademark of Microsoft that the author of this app is presumably not licensed to use, I would think that Apple should have no issue removing it.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- villancikos 14y agoThis is a "great" scam. I can't belive people is falling for it. But worst, I can't believe Apple "stantards" approved this one. It is incredible the amount of people that doesn't read at all. Not even the small description.
- mbetter 14y ago> "stantards" Not sure if typo or insult.
- alainbryden 14y agoThis is so deceitful. If they weren't trying to swindle people they would have named it "Tips and Tricks for Microsoft Word" or "Microsoft Word 2012 Helper". This product is not "Microsoft Word 2012" and they should not get away with naming it as such. I rarely say this about small companies, but I hope they get sued into bankruptcy by the big M. Most importantly, I hope everyone who purchased it gets their money back without having to ask.
- cosmic_shame 14y agoLooks like the walled garden's walls are pretty easy to hop over these days.
- timdorr 14y agoTheir other apps: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/super-racing-real-games/id527010587 http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/super-racing-real-games/id... From the looks of it, they're a total scam developer. How does this stuff get into the store? At least two of their apps use the logos of other apps with some quick filtering to change the colors. I guess Apple isn't doing much more than a cursory check against trademarks when approving apps. That seems really dangerous. Copyright infringement procedures are well defined by the DMCA. Trademark doesn't have an equivalent law.
- n9com 14y agooh they do check - this is either a total oversight or an inside connection that the developer has.
- franzus 14y ago> inside connection The app store feels like some corrupt east european kleptocracy. Your only chance to get featured is if you have some inside connections. And if you need "special" functionality in your app - no problem! Inside connections help again.
- smackfu 14y agoI think Apple's position is "it's not our job to police your trademarks, since you don't tell us when you license them to developers".
- bcl 14y agoNope. When I first submitted SharePics the logo had a white space at the bottom. They rejected it because they said it looked like a Polaroid. Apple needs to be more consistent, either curate the hell out of it, or don't. Inconsistent application of the rules make it more confusing for naive users.
- 0x0 14y agoNot only naive users, it makes it pretty hard to get a feeling for what's acceptable even for seasoned developers with good intentions. (Volume button for camera, anyone?)
- n9com 14y agoUtter joke. Some app reviewers must be getting bribed - no way they can miss this scam app!
- pooriaazimi 14y agoI love these guys. They have tons of other shitty/scammy apps: - Fruit Defense (ripoff of Fruit Ninja): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fruit-defense/id527599882?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fruit-defense/id527599882?mt=... - File Manager (a game!): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file-manager/id529097807?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/file-manager/id529097807?mt=8 - Orient Fight (icon is a ripoff of Temple Run's): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oriental-fight/id527894964?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oriental-fight/id527894964?mt... - F1 Birdie Driver (bird looks like an angry bird): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/f1-birdie-driver/id529098374?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/f1-birdie-driver/id529098374?... - Slider Customizer (obviously does nothing): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/slider-customizator/id531633075?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/slider-customizator/id5316330... - Videogram Pro (ripoff of Instagram, with almost the same icon): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/videogram-pro/id529801444?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/videogram-pro/id529801444?mt=... - Tapped (ripoff of Bejeweled): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tapped-./id527589234?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tapped-./id527589234?mt=8 - Real Robot Attack (I know it's a ripoff of some famous game, but I don't remember its name): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-robot-attack/id529803195?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/real-robot-attack/id529803195... - Two other shitty apps: Beauty Meter (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beauty-meter!/id527010584?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beauty-meter!/id527010584?mt=...) and Oldity Meter (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oldity-meter/id529098528?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oldity-meter/id529098528?mt=8) --- This is why I sometimes get mad at Apple. I do believe they have the right to curate their store, but I think they should do it more vigorously and reject every single shitty app, and ban those developers. App Store is getting filled with these crap...
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- grimoire 14y agoI also agree that Apple has a right to curate their store. But I disagree that the only store I should be allowed to buy from is Apple's.
- 14y ago
- saurik 14y agoApple, just a few days ago, also approved (and pulled once there was a lot of online press being caused by it) a fake Cydia. (Cydia is the alternative to the app store that distributes substrate extensions for jailbroken devices.) A bunch of people bought it and then left reviews saying that they had been ripped off. http://cache.saurik.com/tinyimg/cydiascam.png http://cache.saurik.com/tinyimg/cydiascam.png
- ckrailo 14y agoYou'd think they would know about your app by now and not even let it get approved. ;) (Amazing work btw, you rock.)
- pooriaazimi 14y agoWas it paid, or free? (I kinda know the answer, just want to make sure!)
- saurik 14y agoI had said "bought it", but I did not indicate the price: $0.99.
- Samuel_Michon 14y agoSorry, but I find that hilarious. Who in their right mind would believe that Apple would let Cydia into their own store? Of course, Apple shouldn't have let the scam app through either, and should remove it ASAP, but consumers do have some responsibility to use their faculties.
- aidos 14y agoThat's fairly obvious to us. The problem is that Apple have created an environment where people are encouraged not to use their faculties. Apple insist on acting the way they do with the store, so it falls to them to make sure crap like this never sees the light of day. I mean really, which member of the Apple team allowed Word 2012 through?
- berkut 14y agoIt's getting ridiculous - I'd heard of this happening a lot, and then last week one of my GPL'd Mac apps that's hosted on GitHub appeared on the Mac Store, being sold for €23.99 by some person (obviously Chinese with a really dodgy website). Surely the dodgy website should ring some alarm bells at Apple? Despite going through the process on the store feedback to notify Apple of counterfeit apps, I've had no response... I don't really care that much that someone's profiting off my work (they didn't even bother to do their own screenshots), I'm more concerned that some people are going to pay that money for that clone of my app, when it's free (although not in the App Store), and the other developer is very unlikely to help them if there are any problems.
- ceejayoz 14y agoIf they provide the source code on request or in the credits or something similar, isn't that perfectly legitimate?
- fpgeek 14y agoMy understanding was that the GPL and Apple's app store terms were fundamentally incompatible, but I suppose that might only be true of iOS (because of the development tool issues and such).
- TazeTSchnitzel 14y agoGPLv3 which requires handing over the keys, yes. GPL(v2), no.
- berkut 14y agoNot according to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_App_Store http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_App_Store and people familiar with the issue...
- hcarvalhoalves 14y agoThe app store is full of scams right now, and Apple doesn't seem to care, they just want their cut. Apple is more interested in banning whoever competes with their own offerings (BitTorrent clients, Music stores, etc.) than actually reviewing apps.
- peterjmag 14y ago"How quickly can you page numbering?" A question for the ages, indeed.
- mmuro 14y agoIs this a case of the app getting approved as something else and then the developer turns around and changes something in the meta that doesn't require approval?
- younata 14y agoAs I understand it, even if you don't change the actual binary, changing the meta info still requires another review.
- hogu 14y agoreminds me of The Asylum film studios - they do the same thing, except for movies. I've been tricked into renting their movies instead of the real ones before, when I had forgotten the correct title. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asylum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Asylum
- MartinCron 14y agoYes! I went from very confused to very angry when I watched "Battle Of Los Angeles" on Netflix streaming thinking it was "Battle: Los Angeles". And that didn't cost me anything (other than the 20 minutes wasted before I realized I had been tricked).
- ajarmoniuk 14y agoTo be true, this mockup movie was not much worse than the "original".
- nimeshneema 14y agoThe description sounds hilarious and man I am loving the grammar: Description: Every modern person some time or other is faced with Microsoft Office Word. However not everyone knows it to perfection! "How quickly can you page numbering?" How about adding and changing the page header? If takes more than a minute, this program is for you! Now you always have a list of tips which makes any Microsoft Office task easy and simple. Seems like the developer tried to make this version of Word less sucky...
- dutchbrit 14y agoIs it just me or has the app been removed? Saw it earlier on, and indeed, what a scam.. Can't believe it got approved!
- dutchbrit 14y agoIs it just me or has the app been removed? Saw it earlier on, and indeed, what a scam.. Can't believe it got approved!
- macuenca 14y agoSeems to be already removed, at least that's what I see from Europe with a U.S. account. Remember that whatever amount of money is this publisher making, Apple is taking a 30%. Maybe they don't put too much effort on their side on purpose, just saying.
- Samuel_Michon 14y agoApple breaks even on app sales, and has done so for years. The 30% of paid apps is used for developing the Xcode software and SDK, evaluating app submissions, advertising, affiliate programs, payment processing, storage and bandwidth. Also remember, Apple pays the storage and bandwidth for all the free apps, which devs can submit for free.
- inportb 14y agoIs there a link to this that doesn't want me to install iTunes? For some reason, some iTunes links do not hit people with a paywall but some (such as this) do.